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Basket weaving, also known as basketry or basket making, is the process of weaving unspun vegetable fibers into a basket or other similar form. People and artists who weave baskets are called basketmakers and basket weavers. Basketry is made from a variety of fibrous or pliable materials—anything that will bend and form a shape. Examples include:

• pine straw,
• animal hair,
• hide,
• grasses,
• thread,
• wood
• rattan core (also known as reed)

The parts of a basket are the base, the side walls, and the rim. A basket may also have a lid, handle, or embellishments. Most baskets begin with a base. The base can either be woven with reed or wooden. A wooden base can come in many shapes to make a wide variety of shapes of baskets. The 'static' pieces of the work are laid down first. In a round basket they are referred to as 'spokes'; in other shapes they are called 'stakes' or 'staves'. Then the 'weavers' are used to fill in the sides of a basket.

A wide variety of patterns can be made by changing the size, color, or by placement of a certain style of weave. Aboriginal artists achieve a multi-coloured effect they first dye the twine and then weave the twines together in the most elaborate fashion possible.

Basketry can be classified into four types:

• "Coiled" basketry: using grasses and rushes
• "Plaiting" basketry: using materials that are wide and ribbon-like, such as palms, yucca or New Zealand flax
• "Twining" basketry: using materials from roots and tree bark. Twining actually refers to a weaving technique where two or more flexible weaving elements ("weavers") cross each other as they weave through the stiffer radial spokes.
• Wicker" and "Splint" basketry: using reed, cane, willow, oak, and ash

You can find some basket weaving materials, patterns and kits online when you visit an online basket weaving shop!

Source: wikipedia.org
Photo credit: earthheartfarm.com